Improvement in burial apparatus



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Improvement in Burial Apparatus Patehted Nov- 7,1871.

W, H MCGAJVRAN.

PATENT QFFICE.

WILLIAM H. MGGAVRAN, OF OONNOTTON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT lN BURIAL APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 120,657, dated November '7, 1871.

' a front elevation of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspond ing parts.

The object of this invention is to economize labor in the lowering of coffins and the filling of graves. The invention consists in the arrangement of a receptacle for the earth dug out of the grave, and in the application thereto of a windlass for lowering the ooflin. The earth-receptacle or box has a slanting back and sectional removable front, so that after the coffin has been let down the front may be taken off and the earth allowed to flow freely into the grave until the same is closed.

A in the drawing represents the burial box, made of wood or other material, of proper size for holding the earth dug from a grave. The back a of the box stands inclined upon the nar row bottom b. The front of the box consists of a series of sections or boards, 0 c, which can be removed. I propose to provide the ends of the boards 0 c with handles d d, which fit into notches or recesses in the supporting-post e of the box, as shown in Fig.2. Suitable hooks or catches ff are applied to the sides of the box for holding the boards a in place, as indicated in Fig. 1. In brackets g 9 that project from the front of the box are the bearings of a Windlass, B, which can be turned by hand. The box is, on wheels, rolled to the place where a grave is to be dug, or is carried thither either together or in pieces, and then put together. The earth dug out is thrown into the box, the boards a being put on upwardly as the box is becoming filled. The coffin is placed upon sticks over the grave as usual. Ropes or bands h are then drawn under it and fastened to the Windlass B, which is turned by hand to lower the cofiin into the grave subsequent to the removal of the supportingsticks. The coffin having been let down, the lower board 0 is taken 0% and the earth allowed to flow into the grave, filling it up. Enough earth will remain on the bottom I) for rounding the grave. More than the lower board 0 may be taken 011' if it is desired to still more hasten the operation.

By the use of this apparatus considerable labor is saved, so that two men will be enabled to perform the service for which four are now required.

For childrens graves smaller boxes or shorter removable sections may be provided.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The burial apparatus consisting of the box A, which has the slanting back a and the removable front sections 0, and of the Windlass B, to operate as set forth.

WILLIAM H. MGGAVRAN.

Witnesses:

O. P. WALKER, N. E. CLENDENNIN. (39) 

